Senior gift suggestions

Published: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 4:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 4:51 p.m.

Some of you are already finished with your Christmas shopping, but for those of you who haven’t yet shopped for seniors on your list, may I offer a few suggestions?

One year I bought postage stamps for someone I didn’t know. That gift was most appreciated. I don’t believe she was a senior citizen, but I couldn’t help but notice how much she enjoyed the gift. I heard her say, “I would have had to stop at the post office on my way home, and now I won’t have to.”

It’s difficult to buy a gift when you don’t know who the recipient will be. This was a “party” function for a club and the gifts were distributed by number rather than name. That kind of party is a lot of fun, but it can be excruciatingly difficult to purchase a welcome gift in the price range decided upon.

Another welcome gift might be a gift certificate to the grocery store the recipient frequents. With that gift, the recipient can choose what she needs most, or she can simply splurge on something she’s wanted and would never buy for herself.

My husband and I are in a particularly good position. We have nine children, so they can get together and pool their resources to get us one sizeable gift. One year they gave us an original Thomas Kinkade-framed painting. We will enjoy that one for many years to come. The painting shows an American flag flying over the White House in Washington, D.C.

Vic had seen the painting in Winston Salem, N.C., and had mentioned that it would be nice to own one like that, but it was too expensive. The kids gave it to us for Christmas that same year.

Another year some of the children got together and gave him a large gift certificate to a local carwash establishment. Since he’s in his 90s now, it gets more difficult to wash the car, so that was a most-welcome gift.

Gift certificates to various restaurants are welcome gifts, also, if the seniors like to eat out.

If a senior likes to read, a book is always a good gift. Just try to fit the book to the person. Ask a member of the family what type of book the senior likes. I would love a book of jokes, but I would not like off-color jokes. Speaking of books, I treated myself to June Shaw’s latest book, “Nora 102½: A Lesson on Aging Well.” It’s the story of her mother’s lively senior years. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for any person who enjoys reading.

June lives in Thibodaux and has written two other books that I know of. “Relative Danger” and “Killer Cousins” are two mysteries she’s written, and I enjoyed both, although I’m not a fan of mysteries.

I am a fan of June’s, though. She writes beautifully about her mother. June Shaw is a retired schoolteacher and is now doing more than a bit of “dabbling” in writing. She is a full-fledged author, a dream she’s had since childhood. It couldn’t happen to a sweeter lady.

A friend stopped by the house on a recent Sunday morning to give me my first Christmas present of the year. A book! She told me she knew I’d enjoy “Stepping Stones to Heaven,” and I am enjoying it. This book is not only prose and poetry, but it is also filled with drawings and pictures depicting the local scene: swampland, moss hanging from the branches of trees, flowers, bodies of water, etc.

The text and artwork is by talented local author Dickie Bascle. I thank him for writing this book, and I thank the friend who gave it to me. The lady who gave it to me must have done her “homework” very well. It’s my kind of book.

These are only a scattering of recommendations for Christmas presents for seniors, but just a few minutes of thought could unearth many more. You know the seniors on your list, their likes and dislikes. Follow your heart. It won’t lead you astray.

I would suggest no perfumes. Some people are allergic to them and many have more than they can ever use. Same with soaps and bath powders. Other than that, happy shopping.

Irene C. Michel, a native of Terrebonne Parish, is a freelance columnist for The Courier and Daily Comet. She can be reached at 876-3252 or imichel@comcast.net.

<p>Some of you are already finished with your Christmas shopping, but for those of you who haven't yet shopped for seniors on your list, may I offer a few suggestions?</p><p>One year I bought postage stamps for someone I didn't know. That gift was most appreciated. I don't believe she was a senior citizen, but I couldn't help but notice how much she enjoyed the gift. I heard her say, “I would have had to stop at the post office on my way home, and now I won't have to.” </p><p>It's difficult to buy a gift when you don't know who the recipient will be. This was a “party” function for a club and the gifts were distributed by number rather than name. That kind of party is a lot of fun, but it can be excruciatingly difficult to purchase a welcome gift in the price range decided upon.</p><p>Another welcome gift might be a gift certificate to the grocery store the recipient frequents. With that gift, the recipient can choose what she needs most, or she can simply splurge on something she's wanted and would never buy for herself.</p><p>My husband and I are in a particularly good position. We have nine children, so they can get together and pool their resources to get us one sizeable gift. One year they gave us an original Thomas Kinkade-framed painting. We will enjoy that one for many years to come. The painting shows an American flag flying over the White House in Washington, D.C.</p><p>Vic had seen the painting in Winston Salem, N.C., and had mentioned that it would be nice to own one like that, but it was too expensive. The kids gave it to us for Christmas that same year.</p><p>Another year some of the children got together and gave him a large gift certificate to a local carwash establishment. Since he's in his 90s now, it gets more difficult to wash the car, so that was a most-welcome gift.</p><p>Gift certificates to various restaurants are welcome gifts, also, if the seniors like to eat out. </p><p>If a senior likes to read, a book is always a good gift. Just try to fit the book to the person. Ask a member of the family what type of book the senior likes. I would love a book of jokes, but I would not like off-color jokes. Speaking of books, I treated myself to June Shaw's latest book, “Nora 102½: A Lesson on Aging Well.” It's the story of her mother's lively senior years. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for any person who enjoys reading. </p><p>June lives in Thibodaux and has written two other books that I know of. “Relative Danger” and “Killer Cousins” are two mysteries she's written, and I enjoyed both, although I'm not a fan of mysteries. </p><p>I am a fan of June's, though. She writes beautifully about her mother. June Shaw is a retired schoolteacher and is now doing more than a bit of “dabbling” in writing. She is a full-fledged author, a dream she's had since childhood. It couldn't happen to a sweeter lady.</p><p>A friend stopped by the house on a recent Sunday morning to give me my first Christmas present of the year. A book! She told me she knew I'd enjoy “Stepping Stones to Heaven,” and I am enjoying it. This book is not only prose and poetry, but it is also filled with drawings and pictures depicting the local scene: swampland, moss hanging from the branches of trees, flowers, bodies of water, etc. </p><p>The text and artwork is by talented local author Dickie Bascle. I thank him for writing this book, and I thank the friend who gave it to me. The lady who gave it to me must have done her “homework” very well. It's my kind of book.</p><p>These are only a scattering of recommendations for Christmas presents for seniors, but just a few minutes of thought could unearth many more. You know the seniors on your list, their likes and dislikes. Follow your heart. It won't lead you astray.</p><p>I would suggest no perfumes. Some people are allergic to them and many have more than they can ever use. Same with soaps and bath powders. Other than that, happy shopping.</p><p><i>Irene C. Michel, a native of Terrebonne Parish, is a freelance columnist for The Courier and Daily Comet. She can be reached at 876-3252 or imichel@comcast.net.</i></p>